Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati is an American-born spiritual teacher who stands out for her passionate emphasis on the importance of service in the spiritual life. She is widely known for her work serving the homeless, the poor, and people living with AIDS.
Ma Jaya grew up in poverty in a Jewish family in Brooklyn. For four years she was homeless and lived on the streets and boardwalk of Coney Island, an experience she credits with teaching her to respect the dignity of every human being. In 1972, she underwent a powerful spiritual awakening in which she encountered the presence of Christ. Later, she met her teacher, the great Indian saint Swami Nityananda, whose influence formed the basis of her teaching.
In 1976, Ma Jaya moved to Florida and established the Kashi Foundation and Ashram, an interfaith residential community and teaching center with branches around the world. She also serves as a trustee on the Governing Council of the Parliament of the World’s Religions.
selected books
Bones and Ash
http://store.mas-india.com/bonesash.html
Nine Meditationshttp://store.mas-india.com/ninmed.html
The Riverhttp://store.mas-india.com/river.html
organizational affiliations
Kashi Ashram
http://www.kashi.org/
